Harpers Ferry and Local Parks See Record Visitors Amid Budget Cuts
National Park Visits Hit Record High as Federal Budget Cuts Strain Resources
WV News | Friday, March 7, 2025
By Staff
In 2024, national parks across the U.S. welcomed over 332 million visitors, a record high driven by increasing interest in exploring natural and historical sites. This surge translates to a notable uptick in visitors to the region’s parks, particularly Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which is among the four parks in the vicinity, alongside Bluestone National Scenic River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. While the latter three parks reported record attendance, budget cuts at the federal level are raising concerns about staffing and resource availability amidst rising demand, a critical issue for local parks and their communities, as highlighted by WV News.
